What Sodas Have Artificial Sweeteners?

December 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several different artificial sweeteners are approved for use in food and beverages. Consumers looking to reduce sugar intake often turn to diet or zero-sugar beverages, making it essential to know what sodas have artificial sweeteners and which specific types are used in popular drinks like Diet Coke and Pepsi Zero Sugar.

Quick Summary

A wide variety of diet and zero-sugar soft drinks, including popular options from Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, use artificial sweeteners. Common types include aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium, which are often used in blends to achieve a desirable flavor profile.

Key Points

Sweetener Variety: The most common artificial sweeteners in soda are Aspartame, Sucralose, Acesulfame K, and Stevia.
Brand Specifics: Diet Coke uses primarily aspartame, while Coke Zero Sugar uses a blend of aspartame and Ace-K for a more classic taste profile.
Blends are Common: Manufacturers often blend different sweeteners to mask aftertastes and create a more rounded flavor closer to sugar.
Zero Sugar Drinks: Products labeled 'Zero Sugar' or 'Diet' use these non-nutritive sweeteners instead of sugar to lower calorie content.
Label Reading: The most reliable way to identify which artificial sweetener is in a soda is by checking the ingredient list on the product packaging.

Common Artificial Sweeteners in Soda

Soda manufacturers use several types of high-intensity, non-nutritive sweeteners to achieve sweetness without the calories of sugar. These compounds are regulated by the FDA and other food safety authorities worldwide.

Aspartame: Marketed under brand names like NutraSweet and Equal, aspartame has been used in diet sodas since the 1980s. It is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and is often used in combination with other sweeteners.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Often paired with other sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose to create a more sugar-like taste, Ace-K is heat-stable and about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is sold under the brand names Sweet One and Sunett.
Sucralose: The world's most commonly used artificial sweetener, sucralose is made from sugar through a multi-step process that replaces three hydroxyl groups with chlorine atoms. Marketed as Splenda, it is about 600 times sweeter than sugar and is heat-stable.
Steviol Glycosides (Stevia): Derived from the stevia plant, these natural, zero-calorie sweeteners have gained popularity. They are used in products like Zevia and some reduced-sugar beverages.
Saccharin: One of the oldest artificial sweeteners, saccharin is known for its intense sweetness, though it can have a metallic aftertaste, especially at high concentrations. It is found in some diet soda formulations.

Sodas from Major Brands Containing Artificial Sweeteners

Many popular brands offer diet and zero-sugar options. These lists provide an overview of sodas with artificial sweeteners, though ingredient lists can vary by region and formulation updates.

The Coca-Cola Company

Coke Zero Sugar: Sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Diet Coke: Primarily sweetened with aspartame, though some international versions may use other sweeteners.
Sprite Zero Sugar: Contains a blend of aspartame and Ace-K.
Fresca: Features a blend of aspartame and Ace-K.
Diet Barq's Root Beer: Sweetened with aspartame and Ace-K.
Fanta Zero: Uses aspartame and Ace-K.

PepsiCo

Pepsi Zero Sugar: Sweetened with a blend of aspartame and Ace-K.
Diet Pepsi: Contains a blend of aspartame and Ace-K.
Diet Mountain Dew: Uses a blend of aspartame, Ace-K, and sometimes saccharin.
Diet Mug Root Beer: Sweetened with aspartame.

Other Brands

Diet Dr. Pepper: Sweetened with aspartame.
Diet Rite: Uses a combination of sucralose and Ace-K.
Zevia: Exclusively uses stevia leaf extract.
Red Bull Sugarfree: Contains sucralose and Ace-K.

Comparison of Popular Diet and Zero Sugar Sodas


Beverage	Primary Sweetener(s)	Flavor Profile	Note on Blend
Diet Coke	Aspartame	Lighter, crisper taste.	Less complex blend, relies solely on aspartame's profile.
Coke Zero Sugar	Aspartame, Acesulfame K	Intended to taste more like regular Coke.	Ace-K is blended with aspartame to mimic a more sugary flavor profile.
Diet Pepsi	Aspartame, Acesulfame K	Distinctly different from regular Pepsi.	Blend of sweeteners can vary slightly from Coke Zero.
Pepsi Zero Sugar	Aspartame, Acesulfame K	Attempts to replicate the taste of regular Pepsi.	The use of Ace-K helps create a more rounded, sugary sensation.
Sprite Zero Sugar	Aspartame, Acesulfame K	Crisp, lemon-lime flavor without sugar.	Similar blended approach to other "zero sugar" products.

Health Implications and Considerations

For most people, the FDA considers these sweeteners safe for consumption within recommended daily limits. However, certain health aspects are worth considering:

Insulin Response: Contrary to regular sugar, non-nutritive sweeteners generally do not cause a spike in blood sugar or insulin levels.
Weight Management: While zero-calorie sodas can help reduce caloric intake, studies on their long-term effect on weight and appetite are debated.
Dental Health: Artificial sweeteners do not contribute to tooth decay in the same way as sugar, but the carbonation in soda can still harm tooth enamel.
Phenylketonuria (PKU): Individuals with this rare genetic disorder must strictly limit their intake of phenylalanine, an amino acid found in aspartame.
Taste Preference: Artificial sweeteners are far sweeter than sugar, which some studies suggest could alter taste perception over time and lead to a preference for intensely sweet flavors.

Conclusion

From aspartame to stevia, a wide range of artificial sweeteners are used to formulate the zero-sugar and diet sodas on the market today. Consumers have numerous options to choose from, with popular choices from major brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo often featuring blends of sweeteners to create a desired taste. While the FDA affirms the general safety of these additives, knowing the specific sweeteners in your drink and consuming them in moderation is key to mindful consumption. Ultimately, checking the ingredient list remains the most reliable method for confirming a product's sweetener content.

For a deeper dive into the science of artificial sweeteners, explore this resource: Artificial sweeteners – a review - PMC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some sodas that use sucralose include Diet Rite, Red Bull Sugarfree, and certain formulations of PepsiCo products. Always check the ingredient list on the specific beverage, as formulas can change.

Yes, the Zevia brand of sodas is sweetened with stevia leaf extract. Some other companies have also used stevia in combination with sugar for reduced-calorie drinks.

Diet Coke is primarily sweetened with aspartame, which contributes to its distinct flavor. Coke Zero Sugar uses a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) to create a taste profile closer to that of regular Coke.

No, the term "sugar-free" can encompass various artificial or natural zero-calorie sweeteners. Different brands use different types or combinations, which results in variations in taste and mouthfeel.

Major food safety authorities, including the FDA, have concluded that aspartame is safe for consumption within its recommended acceptable daily intake (ADI). However, those with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it, and its long-term effects on metabolism are still debated.

Blending sweeteners helps create a more balanced and complex sweetness profile. Different sweeteners have unique characteristics and aftertastes, so combining them can mask less desirable flavors and produce a more sugar-like experience.

Yes, many people can detect a difference. Artificial sweeteners often have a specific aftertaste, which can range from metallic to slightly bitter, though blending can minimize this effect. The full-bodied mouthfeel of sugar is also difficult to replicate completely.